Review of Maniac (1980) by Aidan R — 27 Jun 2010
Forget Silence of the lambs, want a real look into the head of a serial killer try this often ignored 1980 film from Bill Lustig (also try out the chilling "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" from John McNaughton).
This is no high culture cannibal, hyper intelligent architect, witty iron man yuppy or loveable blood spatter analyst. Nor is it a slathering slasher style loony.
No our protagonist Frank Zito is a quiet slightly overwieght man with a compulsion to murder.
Lead actor (and writer) Joe Spinell carries the role with a terrifying energy, plus just enough everyman humanity to make the character seem far more real than the mainstream hollywood stereotypes.
On a technical level Lustig goes to great lengths to create a Claustrophobic urban hell, and creates a painful tension during the kill scenes.
Additionally make up/special effects master Tom Savini provides some of his best (and most realistic) gore work as the icing on the cake.
This review of Maniac (1980) was written by Aidan R on 27 Jun 2010.
Maniac has generally received mixed reviews.
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